Ashley Cole, will.i.am 'have near miss'

Ashley Cole and will.i.am narrowly avoided coming face-to-face in South Africa earlier this week, a report has claimed.

According to The Sun, the pair missed each other by just ten minutes on Tuesday as they both took a trip to the Pilanesberg National Safari Park.

will.i.am has been repeatedly linked to Ashley's estranged wife Cheryl since the couple split earlier in the year. However, it is thought that the X Factor judge only considers him to be a friend.

Speaking of the safari park near miss, a source said: "Ashley was with the England players and Will had booked a tour as well.

"Will is over there for the World Cup opening ceremony so he has time to explore. He obviously knows Ashley is there but due to his loyalty to Cheryl, he wouldn't want to see him."

Cheryl was named 'Woman Of The Year' at the Glamour Awards earlier this week.